Created A Successful Turnaround Plan For A Troubled Giant In Latin America

Background
Identified as one of the “Top 50 Most Valuable Latin American Brands” by BrandZ, the client is an industry leader with over 1,000 locations throughout Latin America. On my arrival, the business was producing over $1.3B USD in sales and employed over 8,500 associates. The client’s target customer base represents over 65% of all Latin American families.

Challenges
After a long track record of sales and profit growth, unattended internal and external challenges created a downturn in performance. Internally, the company struggled with an erosion of its customer service standards, along with deteriorating store presentation, plan-o-gram, and visual merchandising standards – all of which negatively impacted their customers’ buying experience. Externally, changing market conditions and severe competition ate away at the client’s market share – a market that they historically dominated.

As it struggled to deal with multiple changes to its business structure, policies and procedures, and deteriorating business results, the chain suffered from low associate morale and unusually high employee turnover.

My Solution
Using my “Ten-Step Approach to Leading a Successful Turnaround”, I assessed the situation, performed due diligence, developed a 36-point turnaround plan, and presented it to the Chairman of the Board. The plan focused on the company’s business model, brand, competitive environment, customer and associate satisfaction, morale, and bottom-line performance. I designed the plan to improve customer satisfaction and regain market dominance; stop and reverse the sales decline; rationalize and control SG&A expenses; and return the business back to profitability.

Results
Upon implementation of my plan, the company experienced its first sales and profit increase in three years. The following year, the company continued its comeback, producing a +20% sales gain over the previous year.

If your company is facing a turnaround or major challenge, I’d love to talk with you. Please send an email or call me directly —

Bill Nebes is a global senior executive with an extensive track record of delivering profitable growth and transforming businesses to achieve bottom-line results. Known as a turnaround expert, problem-solver, and team builder with strong strategic vision and tactical execution, addressing complete business solutions with in-depth knowledge of how to leverage best practices across many cultures and implement change in international environments.

Nebes has Demonstrated his ability to achieve challenging financial objectives, as well as attract, motivate, and retain top performers during times of significant change, mergers, acquisitions, and turnarounds. He is experienced in multiple industries, as an employee and a consultant, from startup to $11B (Staples).